Add-on capture rate in a barcode scanning system

Abstract

A scanner system and method for improving capture rate of reading labels with add-ons without sacrificing throughput with respect to non-add-on labels, the scanner including a mode in which the scanner in conjunction with the host (point-of-sale terminal) “learns” over time which base label codes will have associated add-ons. As the scanner successfully reads both a base label and its add-on data, the base label data is stored in a list in the scanner's memory. The required number of reads of base label or the timeout timer value may be adjusted based upon whether add-ons are expected or not corresponding to future scans of a base label corresponding to that of one in the list store. Base label statistics on successful base label and associated add-on reads, as well as ordering and selective storage of base label information based on frequency of base label occurrence may also be provided.

1. A method of reading a scan region for optical code label, comprising the steps of
 storing in a memory a reader list of first labels for which a second label containing supplemental data is expected; 
 scanning the scan region with a data reader for detecting an optical code label and outputting a signal corresponding thereto; 
 processing the signal by the steps of
 identifying label data comprising at least a first label, 
 for a first label identified without a second label, determining if the first label identified without a second label is expected to include a second label by checking the reader list for that first label, and 
 if the first label identified without a second label is in the reader list, continue to scanning the scan region for a second label. 
 
 
   
   
     2. A method according to  claim 1  further comprising
 storing in a memory a host list of first labels for which a second label is expected, 
 if the first label identified without a second label is not in the reader list, transmitting the first label to a host, 
 determining if the first label identified without a second label is expected to include a second label by checking the host list for that first label, 
 if the first label identified without a second label is in the host list, notifying an operator to rescan. 
 
   
   
     3. A method of reading a scan region for optical code labels, comprising the steps of
 monitoring light entering a detector to determine if a first label has been detected and whether a second label containing supplemental data has been detected; 
 upon detecting a first label without detecting a second label, examining a list in a memory to determine if the first label detected is in the list, wherein the list contains a listing of first labels for which a second label is expected; 
 if the first label detected is determined to be in the list, providing additional time to search for a second label. 
 
   
   
     4. A method according to  claim 3  further comprising
 if the second label is not detected within the additional time provided, acknowledging detection of the first label. 
 
   
   
     5. A method according to  claim 3  further comprising
 if the second label is not detected within the additional time provided, notifying operator of failure to detect the second label. 
 
   
   
     6. A method according to  claim 3  further comprising
 upon detecting a first label and a second label, adding the first label to the list. 
 
   
   
     7. A method of reading a scan region for optical code labels, comprising the steps of
 monitoring light entering a detector to determine if a first label has been detected and whether a second label containing supplemental data has been detected; 
 upon detecting a first label, checking a memory containing a list of first labels for which a second label is expected, and if a second label is also detected, adding the first label to the list. 
 
   
   
     8. A method according to  claim 7  further comprising
 storing in the memory the list of first labels for which a second label is expected. 
 
   
   
     9. A method of scanning a read region for labels using a data reader, comprising the steps of
 monitoring data acquired by the data reader to determine if a first label has been detected and whether a second label containing supplemental data has been detected; 
 storing in a memory a list of first labels; 
 for one or more of the first labels, storing information in the memory pertaining to second label reading corresponding to the first label; 
 checking whether the first label detected is present in the list; 
 if the first label is in the list, retrieving information from the memory corresponding to the first label; 
 adjusting an aspect how the method attempts to detect a second label depending upon the information retrieved. 
 
   
   
     10. A method according to  claim 9  wherein the step of adjusting an aspect comprises adjusting a minimum number of required reads of the second label to constitute a valid read. 
   
   
     11. A method according to  claim 9  wherein the step of adjusting an aspect comprises adjusting a minimum number of required reads of the first label to constitute a valid read. 
   
   
     12. A method according to  claim 9  further comprising
 calculating the number of reads of a first label it takes to read a second label, and storing the number in the memory. 
 
   
   
     13. A method according to  claim 9  further comprising
 determining a time corresponding to how long it has taken to detect a second label and storing the time in the memory. 
 
   
   
     14. A method according to  claim 9  further comprising
 acquiring additional information on aspects of reading second labels and storing the information in the memory.